Great experience with Daniel Lapadula in Umbria

[Helaine Treitman <treitman @giotto.org>]

What a great experience it was coteaching with Daniel Lapadula in
 Umbria, Italy these last two weeks!
Our students in Todi, Terni, Perugia, Magione and Torgiano have grown
 so much in a short time.

I am happy to see how a different approach radically changes the way
 people dance.  For example, one thing we experienced was that people
 have shifted their attention off of taking steps, and onto inviting
 with contrabody movement.  No more tendency to try forced leading.
 They discovered that being connected in the upper body is what allows
 them to be aligned in the footwork.   And with better upper body
 connection you can replace "lead and follow"  with a conversation in
 which both parties are active; it's a true dialogue in which
 questions are asked and responses are given, from both sides, and
 both sides wait for a response.  No more monologues by the "leader".
 I am inviting you.  With good contrabody motion, the invitation comes
 naturally.

Our students slowed down and started to be conscious of the two
 movements of any step: part one - transfering the weight and finding
 your balance, and part two - "dragging an ancor"; that is, slowly
 uniting the second foot, always in contact with the floor. This
 allows them to improve their balance and to do embellishments
 naturally, not artificially, in the slower time of the second part.
 AND it eliminates the likelihood that the woman will anticipate.

I am amazed at the progress I've seen in two weeks of lessons spread
 over several cities.

Daniel will be back in Todi May 18-27, with many North American
 friends, for a special intensive seminar, encompassing a short
 weekend and a long one, with a few days of fun day-trips through
 beautiful, historic Umbria in between.  More news will come on
 Tango-A, or check our website (see below).

Enthused in Umbria,
Helaine

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